Jackie McGregor (Nga Puhi), who has been part of a kapa haka group since she was 7, was dismayed to find many of her friends in kapa haka were unemployed and left despondent by suicides in the wider Maori community.
"I wanted to do something to support my community."
The former hospitality worker had the idea of setting up a kapa haka group aimed at the cruise ship market as she was often asked by tourists if there were any Maori cultural performances in Dunedin.
"This has been designed to give us, as a community, an opportunity to support ourselves."
Miss McGregor said the 17-member group, which includes 14 unemployed people, spent the weekend at a "live-in" at Araiteuru marae, polishing its act.
The 30-minute kapa haka performance would include haka, poi, music and an opportunity for audience participation.
The show would begin on Tuesday, December 1, at The Terrace bar, the day the cruise ship Sun Princess is to berth at Port Chalmers.
The owner-operator of the Terrace, John MacDonald, said he was approached by Miss McGregor a month ago and recognised the idea as a "a good opportunity" for the Octagon-based bar.
"We have tourists walking around this area wanting things to do . . . this is ideal."
A research project by the University of Otago marketing department, supported by the Dunedin City Council, concluded the potential for Maori tourism products in the city was "immense".
Miss McGregor said to capitalise on the interest, the group hoped to perform four shows a day aimed at the cruise ship passengers who travelled by bus into the centre of the city.
There would also be locally made items for sale, such as carvings, kete and pounamu.
Miss McGregor, who has no business experience, said funding has been the most difficult part of the venture.
But she had been "surprised" by the support from Tourism Dunedin and the Dunedin City Council.
"We are going to give it our best."
Lifeline: 0800 111-777; Samaritans: 0800 726-666; Youthline: 0800 376-633.
